John A. Ray

John Ray, 92, of Galena, IL, passed away on Monday, June 23, 2025, at Midwest Senior Care Center, Galena. A funeral service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at the Furlong Funeral Chapel, Galena. Friends may call from 5 to 7 PM on Friday, July 18, 2025, at the Furlong Funeral Chapel. A Masonic service will be held at 7 PM on Friday at the funeral chapel. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Galena, where military honors will be rendered graveside by VFW Post #2665 and American Legion Post #193. John Ray was born on November 1, 1932, to Thomas and Dee Ray in Lincolnville, OK. He grew up with 5 brothers and 2 sisters while his father worked for Eagle-Picher Mines. When John was a sophomore in high school, his family moved to Galena, IL, where his father worked at the Eagle-Picher mine in town. John grew to love it here and chose to never leave. John graduated from Galena High School in 1951, excelling at football and basketball. He then enlisted in the US Navy and served in the Korean War on the USS Helena (CA-75). After his 2-year enlistment, John was recommended for re-enlistment but came back to Galena, where he went to work in the mines and later on the Mississippi River Lock and Dam #11. Following his father’s footsteps, John entered the Masonic lodge #273 in Galena. At the George Washington Birthday dance in 1954, John found his lifelong love in Nancy Einsweiler, who had a business degree and worked for V&E construction. John’s enjoyment of dancing and big band music showed as he danced that evening with Nancy. John and Nancy married on July 28, 1956, at the Westminster United Presbyterian Church in Galena. Nancy eventually became a teacher and reading specialist, while John fulfilled his bricklayer apprenticeship and became a mason working in Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois. John was proud of the brickwork he completed on numerous new construction and restoration projects to help keep Galena charming and welcoming for all visitors. He was a 32nd degree freemason and was a member of the Galena lodge for 71 years, and enjoyed membership with the Odd Fellows lodge. For all their lives together, John and Nancy were proud and active members of Westminster United Presbyterian Church. John later became a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Galena. In his twilight years, John lived a simple life in Galena: he loved to garden, go to church, watch the Cubs, and take drives around town to see the Galena he knew and loved to continue to thrive. He always loved to stop in and see his friends and neighbors and was always quick with a joke to crack a smile on the faces of those around him. John is survived by his children Mark (Elaine) Ray of Chapel Hill NC and Janet Ray (Geoff Wells) of Manhattan Beach CA; 5 grandchildren Alex (Matt) Gray of Berkeley CA, Cora (Annalies) Simms of Rosendale NY, Samuel (Natasha) Ray of Galena IL, Morgan Wells (Angel Sanchez) of Lakewood CA, and Garrett (Samantha) Wells of Babylon NY; and his brother Vernon Ray of Sycamore IL. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Nancy Ray, brothers Thomas Ray, Gerald Ray, William Ray, Charles Ray, sisters Faye Nelle Ray, and Dee Anna McCarthy. From the children of John Ray: Our father taught us many things, but most importantly, he taught us about love and loyalty. Our mother’s later years were characterized by an extended fight with Alzheimer’s disease, and she had to be moved to a care facility in 2013. For seven years, Dad visited Mom every day and fed her meals at least once (and most often twice) a day. He never complained and always made sure our mom’s needs were put before his own. Our Mom passed away peacefully in 2020, 3 weeks into COVID-19 isolation, when Dad’s daily visits could not be made. With quiet, patient, and steadfast service to his family and his community, Dad set a high bar for us to follow and was a role model for us all. Thank you to everyone who knew and loved John. His neighbors were better than any we’ve known. The Midwest Senior Care nursing team took great care of him at the end, especially Jessica of Hospice of Dubuque. To our family, friends, neighbors, work companions, lodge members, church members, and all the Galena community, thank you for the love and support you showed our dad. In lieu of flowers and gifts, please consider donations to: Miners Lodge #273 or Oddfellows both located at 212 N Bench St, Galena, IL, 61036.